Soil_microbial_nutrient_limitation_sugar_beet_yield_fertilization_experiment_SPEYER_2016

The study site in SPEYER was the International Mineral and Organic Nitrogen Fertilization Trial (IOSDV) located in Rinkenbergerhof (49°21’N 8°25′E, 99 m a.s.l.) and maintained by the Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs und Forschungsanstalt (LUFA) Speyer, Germany. Soil type was Cambisol with pH 6-6.5

Sugar beet was grown on 12 plots with 4 levels of mineral fertilisation (N0 – control 0 kg N/ha, N2 – 120 kg N/ha, N3 – 180 kg N/ha and N4 – 240 kg N/ha) and 3 levels of organic fertilisation (Z0 – control, HM – horse manure, and RC – harvest crop residues) resulting in 12 fertiliser treatments.

Throughout the growing period (T3 and T4) soil samples were taken and analysed for microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and microbial nutrient limitation using the substrate induced respiration method. At the end of the growing period (T4), the sugar beet crop was harvested and dry weight of leaves and roots were determined.

Soil sampling took place in 2016, in June (timepoint T3) and November (timepoint T4). Twelve soil cores of 2 cm Ø and 0-10cm depth were taken per plot and homogenised to 2 mm.

Research domain: Soil Sciences

Research question: Detailed information on the method can be found in the publication: Lemanski K, Armbruster M, Bonkowski M (2019) Linking soil microbial nutrient limitation to fertilizer regime and sugar beet yield. Plant and Soil 441: 253-259. doi: 10.1007/s11104-019-04114-w.